A HANDSOME VENETIAN BINDING by the 'Fugger Binder'. At least three tools on the present binding are shared by others attributed to the Fugger Binder. So called owing to his work for the great financier Johann Jakob Fugger, he also worked for other notable Renaissance collectors, such as Cardinal Granvelle and Thomas Mahieu. Published bindings by the Fugger Binder with the corner, large star or flower-head, or grape-vine tools (grape-vine usually used on the spine, as here) are: G.D. Hobson, Maioli, LIII, Foot, Davis Gift, app. 3, 20, illus. p.311, and De Marinis 2165. These are included in A.R.A. Hobson's list of Fugger Binder bindings in Renaissance Book Collecting, appendix 8, as nos. 76, 103 and 103A. The corner tool appears in the hands of other binders as well, such as the Cicero Binder (cf. Hobson, fig.74). The treatment of the central medallion is similar to that depicted on De Marinis 2160 and 2162, not attributed to a particular Venetian shop.